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1.4. |
HARVEST DANCES: More than 70% of Sikkimese people are engaged in
cultivation for centuries. Agricultural operations are associated with rituals
and festivals (Utsavas). The Limboo community of Sikkim believes that soybean
was the first crop given by their Almighty Goddess for their survival to the
human beings for cultivation. There was no other crop, and hence they eat its
pods row, after boiling in water, dry-frying (Bhute ko Bhatmas), by dry -frying
and by crushing (fando sumbak/curry or fanda achar), boiling in water (Karih),
fermenting or in a variety of ways which led to a variety of food items
including a fermented product now known as the Kinnema. Later on the Goddess
also gave the Finger Millet and other crops to the people. Hence, they offer the
newly harvested crops especially finger millet to the Goddess during Kok Phekla
Lageng (which coincides with Mangsir Purnima) every year. The soybean is offered
as Piuna (Satabew-Pallabew) along with various crop seeds, without which the
Piuna (Satabew-Palabew) is incomplete. This is also a very good example of
conserving agro-biodiversity by the community. Dance is a part of the ritual or
of the Utsava. Right from the time of preparing the field for sowing seeds to
the end of harvesting, during each stage of agricultural operations, various
kinds of dances are performed (Subba, 1999).
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(a) |
Yialakma: Yialalema (Dhan Nach - Khas Version) is the most popular dance
among Limboo community. It is a harvest dance in which teenagers to late adults
of both sexes participate enthusiastically in this dance. The dance is usually
organized at night during the paddy harvest season. Nowadays, it is organized in
daytime in any festive occasion such as marriage, Maghey Mela, hat days, or as
item of entertainment. The dance is followed in rhythm of songs known as Pallam
and steps. Musical instruments are not used, as it is not possible in the real
life situation. The dance also provides forum of courtship for the young boys
and girls as they sing love songs and express their feeling through love songs
one after the other. Number of dancers depends on the availability of space for
dancing which varies from a male and female to even hundred in a raw. Usually,
10 to 20 people of both sexes form a good Yialang dance (photo enclosed).
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The myth says that Yialang or Dhan Nach has a Mundhum (oral tradition) origin,
when the Phedangma priests collect the newly harvested paddy, dehusk around
their altar of Yagrangsing inviting the young boys and girls to accompany. When
the operation of paddy de-husking is complete, the birds known as Muphik
Phirikwa (Lonchura striata) are attracted on the rice; the Phedangmas drive away
the bird as well as the boys and girls saying "haa .. haa ..." Thereafter, the
Phedangmas offer the newly harvested rice, fermented finger millet from the
newly harvested crop, and other newly harvested items to the Gods and Goddess,
and Sam Sire (deity) etc. at the time of Phungsook Timma ritual conducted during
Kok Phekla Tongnam (Mangsir Purnima). These young boys and girls being
unsatisfied continue their dance at the nearby paddy threshing areas known
Takten or Khala and thus the tradition was continued. Now, Yialang has become a
source of entertainment and performed in all happy occasions in the state
(Subba, 1999: 217-220).
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Download Requisition form for songs & drama artists |
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